Melanie Bone, MD

Dr. Bone is a mom of four “tweens” ages 12 to 15, a gynecologist, the founder of the Cancer Sensibility Foundation, and the author of the syndicated column Surviving Life and the book Cancer, What’s Next?, in West Palm Beach, FL.

How many children do you have? I have four children: 15- and 13-year-old daughters and 14- and 12-year-old sons.

What’s your specialty? I’m a gynecologist.

What’s your favorite parenting tip? Whatever crisis you’re battling right now will go away and be replaced with a new one.

What has surprised you most about parenting? How hard it is! It’s much easier to be a doctor than to be a mother.

How do you get your kids to eat healthy food? I’m not very obsessive about their eating, and I don’t like to use the word “healthy.” We serve well-rounded meals, including a salad, a green vegetable, a starch, and usually a protein.

How do you work exercise into your family’s life? When my kids were young, we enrolled them in everything: soccer, ballet, violin, you name it. At this age, they have strong feelings about what they want—and don’t want—to do. My husband and I are great role models for this: We exercise every single day. I figure, it’ll kick in for my kids, too some day. Right now all but one are couch potatoes!

How do you recharge your batteries? I do Pilates and play tennis. This summer, my husband and I took a two-week honeymoon hiking in the Alps. After I’m done my long day working hard, I read junk at night, total chick lit. They’re the most inane books, but they’re interesting. I also listen to books on tape in the car.

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